Class Considerations

Well, today's update will be rather short. This information can't come too quickly because as I said, my goal is to develop a plan that won't even be possibly ready til after next year.

So, I've contacted some small trade schools around here to see if I could take some classes to get my general knowledge up and this is what I think I'm looking at as of now...

1. Diesel - General Maintenance: Learn the basics of maintaining and repairing diesel engines.
2. Outboard Motor Repair: Repair and maintain outboard motors.
3. Small Engine Repair: Do you like to fix your own equipment and know how it works? This is the class for you. Bring your own lawnmower, chainsaw, go-cart, tiller or any other two or four cycle power equipment and we will get it running.
4. General Auto Maintenance & Repair: Introduction to general auto maintenance and repair, diagnosis of vehicle problem(s), needed repair(s) and vehicle parts identification. Class uses instructor guided repairs on student’s vehicle(s) to learn brake repair, electrical repair & multi-meter, coolant flush, transmission flush, injector flush, and steering & suspension repair.
5. Basic Residential Wiring: This course introduces the student to residential wiring. Some topics include electrical careers, terms, tools, equipment, electrical plans and drawings, understanding electrical safety systems, electrical connections, switches, receptacles, NEC, working with Romex and much more.

Some of them may be pretty basic, but I'm sure even basic knowledge is better than I have currently. I'm still looking for other options but the Outboard Repair and the Diesel Maintenance classes might be worth while. We shall see. More to come later regarding that stuff.

I also heard back from another sailing class and it was a two day program for, it was $289.Apparently that's the normal, but seems more than I'd like to pay for two days. Still keeping my fingers crossed for a local skipper to take me out and show me the ropes. Har har harrr.

Jeremy

Deep Thinking

Well, to start this thing off... 

Happy Independence Day America!

Now, updates from yesterday. The Catalina 22 I was just told about... already sold. The Yacht Club training program I was looking at is already half way finished. It's not really cost effective knowing you are only getting half of your money's worth. Also, there won't be another one til next year when I hope to be on the gulf coast for some school classes during the summer.

More hopeful note, the director at the Club seemed very friendly and helpful. I sent him a response back indicating I'd still be very interested in joining I would just like to know my odds of someone taking me as crew to train. Not sure exactly what that process is, but hopefully it'll be something plausible.

If you look back to yesterday's post, I put up a quick list of small goals. After some Deep Thinking done today, I think I already added a bunch to them and wanted to get some peoples suggestions as to what might be really helpful or a waste of time. Also note, I have very little knowledge with all things discussed.

I'm thinking about taking some classes to help with some of the important things I might need to know while on board a liveaboard sailboat. I'm wanting to take engine classes, electrical/electricity classes, and possibly heat/ac classes. What I found so far regarding marine seemed more for powerboats or automobile related knowledge. Does marine electrical work compare to that of automobile electrical work? I'd imagine not, but then again, my knowledge is pretty null. Also, would automotive engine repair help with the sailboats engine trouble or will that mostly be diesel? How do they compare?

Granted I'm aware all knowledge is good knowledge, but which would be more useful? Right now I'm considering more: Marine Engine Mechanical, Marine Electrical Systems, Diesel Engine Systems, and Preventive Maintenance Diesel Service.

Alright, I think this is all jumbled for now so I'll leave it at that.
Be good or be good at it!